How to write a B2 Descriptive Article

Malcolm Corbin
Sep 29
3 min read

Updated: Oct 2

What is a descriptive article?

A descriptive article is written for a newspaper, magazine or online blog and is usually neutral or informal in tone. It should also be persuasive and interesting to read throughout, using a variety of adjectives, adverbs and colloquial expressions. Key to this type of article is that it creates an image in the reader's mind and also connects on an emotional level.

Read the question carefully to discover what type of article you should write. Here, I've included some examples of a descriptive article. Click here to read my post about opinion and discursive articles.

Descriptive

Write an article describing a memorable place you have visited. Explain what made it special and how you felt there.
Write an article about an exciting or unusual experience you’ve had. Describe what happened and why it was unforgettable.

General information

Cambridge 140-190 words

However you should write at least 180 words and maximum 200

Trinity 150-180 words

However you should write at least 170 words and maximum 190

You need to write this much otherwise you won't be including enough detail or including enough variety of grammar in your writing!

How to start writing a descriptive article

Create a plan

Think of a key idea connected to the question.
Think of 2 or 3 supporting ideas that help answer the question.
Look at your supporting ideas and write down 2 or 3 reasons, consequences and/or causes of each.
Note down some interesting adjective and adverb phrases to help make each idea more interesting and descriptive

Structure

There is less specific structure of a descriptive article than there is in either the opinion or discursive ones, but below I'v given you a general guide.

Introduction - 2 or 3 sentences

Introduce the general theme and give some background information. This could include:
- a short description or history of the place/event/person/etc...
- why you were in that situation/place
- who you were with, when, etc...

Main body

Paragraphs can be separated into ideas.
Use the notes you made in part 3 of your plan to help you write your article.
Remember to use a range of adjectives, adverbs and interesting vocabulary.

After you finish writing your main body, check that it flows nicely and that it's interesting to read and adjust it as necessary.

Conclusion - 2 or 3 sentences

Sum up your ideas and give your overall opinion
Depending on the question, you may need to include:
- how you feel about it now.
- how it has changed your life/the life of others.
- your predictions for the future.

Find a list of useful adverbs and adjectives with the link below

Example descriptive article

Question: Write an article about an exciting or unusual experience you’ve had. Describe what happened and why it was unforgettable.

Plan

Key idea: Northern lights

Supporting ideas and extra information:

Arrive in countryside - drove for hours, freezing, silent

Sky lit up - like sky was dancing, personal private show

Took photos - breathtaking

Absolutely amazed - unreal, tour guide impressed

Conclusion:

Appreciate natural world

Should be more present and open

Can't control life

A Night Under the Northern Lights

Last winter, I travelled to Iceland with my cousin to celebrate the end of our exams. We had always dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights, so when we heard they might be visible, we organised a late-night trip far from the city.

After driving for hours through the icy countryside, we finally stopped in the middle of nowhere. The air was freezing, and everything was silent. Suddenly, the sky lit up with green and purple lights that seemed to dance above us. It was as if nature had prepared a private show especially for us. Plenty of photos were taken, but no camera could truely capture how breathtaking it was.

We were absolutely amazed. The experience felt unreal, as though we had stepped into another world. Even the tour guide, who had seen them many times, admitted that it was one of the most spectacular displays he had ever witnessed.

Since that night, I’ve realised how important it is to appreciate the natural wonders around us. It taught me to be more present and open to experiences that can’t be planned or controlled and has truly changed the way I see the world.